New Quick Coupler for Bobcat E25 to E55 Excavators

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Doosan Bobcat EMEA has extended its excavator quick coupler offering with the launch of a new hydraulic pin grabber coupler for attachments used on the seven Bobcat compact excavators from the E25 up to the E55 models. The new Bobcat Hydraulic Coupler is available both as a factory installed option and as an aftermarket product for use with all the pin-on fitting attachments for the E25 to E55 excavators. The new quick coupler complements the existing full range of mechanical couplers from Bobcat including Klac and Lehnhoff systems.

Bobcat excavators equipped with the factory-installed hydraulic coupler are now supplied as tailormade systems, ready to go from the start. All controls are incorporated within the operator area, so there is no need for additional controllers, switches, displays, hoses and/or wire harnesses to be connected. The factory installed option is designed not to compromise machine efficiency, its robustness and overall performance.

Key features and benefits of the new quick coupler include its triple lock design for greater safety, exceeding the ISO 13031 norm and complying with all safety standards in the industry in Europe and the UK. There is a wide variable pin centre, to pick up multiple pin-on attachments. A robust, yet compact design enures maximum breakout force and the system is essentially maintenance free, with few components for peace of mind. Powerful springs are activated in case of pressure loss to avoid any risk and reversibility is standard when the job requires it.

Important aspects include the increased safety and compliancy offered by a hydraulic pin grab coupler, which enables the operator to rapidly and safely change between non-hydraulic attachments from the comfort of the cab. The pins in the system are under constant pressure from the hydraulic cylinder ensuring the attachment is tightly gripped, even when there has been pin wear over longer term use. In the unlikely event of a hydraulic cylinder failure or hydraulic pressure loss, the attachment will remain securely connected thanks to two powerful springs. Front and rear locks ensure the attachment remains in position at all times.

The ‘curl to release‘ safety protocol is an additional step to release the attachment in a safe position. A bucket, for example, must be in the fully curled in position, locked on its hooks with the front lock, to allow the changeover process to start. The front lock, in green, is a highly visible indicator for the operator to check if the attachment is properly locked. An acoustic alarm will engage when releasing the attachment to warn everyone around the excavator that the operation is in progress.

The operator can change non-hydraulic attachments without leaving their seat. This means more comfort for the operator as well as higher productivity, because the attachments can be changed faster. The procedure is quick and safe: The operator simply activates two switches in the correct sequence, followed by moving the bucket joystick.

The proven and tested design has no greasing requirements and very few moving parts with no maintenance requirements (other than the daily inspection), guaranteeing a hassle-free coupler. The open and simple design is meant to work in mud – so mud doesn’t get trapped and block the release or unreleased mechanism. It is manufactured using extra-high-strength steel, increasing durability, while optimising weight and the excavator’s performance.

With the pin grabber coupler, the operator can operate the bucket in both the normal position and in the reverse position, without any modification or extra components, to excavate against walls and under pipes for greater flexibility. The pin grab concept allows the operator to connect to a widely available range of pin-on attachments for greater versatility. This makes this coupler an ideal choice for the rental business. It is also an economical option as unlike dedicated systems, only pins are required to secure the attachment(s).

For more information about Bobcat and Bobcat products, visit www.bobcat.com

Emirates Stadium And Their Success With DLF

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Together with some key distributors and customers, DLF Seeds recently hosted a groundsmens trip to the Emirates Stadium in London. Delegates were treated to a stadium tour, a look around the maintenance sheds and discussed how the Johnsons J Premier Pitch mixture has played a fundamental role in the recent re-build of the stadium pitch and the results it has already delivered.

Commenting on the day, Regional Manager for DLF Craig Spooner said, “It was a fantastic opportunity for our customers to see and hear first-hand how the Emirates team monitor and maintain their facilities. We had a great day for it, the turnout was fantastic and the feedback we’ve received from all so far has been very positive. I’d like to pass on my sincere thanks to Paul Ashcroft, Reece Watson and Alan Russell at the Emirates for delivering a factual and informative day for all.”

Johnsons J Premier Pitch is the UK’s No. 1 sports turf renovation mixture, featuring top rated perennial ryegrass cultivars Eurodiamond and Columbine. It is also available as J Nitro Premier Pitch, the ProNitro coated option.

ICL launch Landscaper Pro Range

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The Turf and Landscape division of ICL has announced the launch of Landscaper Pro – featuring a range of unique products for landscapers and gardeners to help meet the demands of modern day lawn and landscape management.

The fertilizers in the Landscaper Pro range will result in less waste and healthier turf as well as improve its tolerance of environmental stresses such as shade and drought.
The Landscaper Pro range includes:

Lawn Fertilizers

  • Landscaper Pro Spring & Summer which offers a strong immediate response.
  • Landscaper Pro Autumn & Winter to help prevent stress during colder months.
  • Landscaper ProTablet a controlled release fertilizer that feeds the plant for up to two years.
  • Landscapers Pro Feed Weed & Mosskiller which maintains growth and contains a selective herbicide for weed control plus iron for moss control.
  • UNIVERSTAR Balance which has been developed as a convenient and cost effective general purpose fertilizer for use on lawns, beds and borders.

The Landscaper Pro Performance grass seed provides the perfect foundation to get turf off to the best possible start. Containing high quality perennial Ryegrass and Fescue, Landscaper Pro Performance produces a hard-wearing and fine blade which is ideal for areas used by children and pets. Offering rapid germination, it is available in both 5kg and 10kg bags.

For fertilizer and grass seed application, the Landscaper Pro range features a variety of spreaders such as the Handygreen II – with an ergonomic design to reduce wrist fatigue and the Accupro 1000 which has been designed to deliver an even and balanced spread pattern.

Also included within the Landscaper Pro portfolio is Osmocote PrePlant which helps growers add value to their offering and help boost incremental sales to the landscaping sector. Designed for use when planting trees, hedging plants, hardy nursery stock (HNS) and herbaceous perennials, Osmocote PrePlant provides an ideal NPK and trace element package (16-11-10+2MgO+TE) promoting good establishment and ongoing healthy plant growth. It is suitable for a wide range of trees and plants including Rhododendrons, Azaleas and Buxus, without fear of root scorching.
Along with Ranger – a hard surface cleaner for use on concrete, asphalt, tarmac, block paving, artificial sports surfaces and any hard surface areas (except memorial marble/slate).
Landscapers and gardeners will be pleased to see the inclusion of the Humax range of growing media, which offers a wide choice of products and package sizes to suit the amateur as well as the experienced.

For further information, please contact Mark Pyrah, ICL’s Landscape & Industrial Manager, for the UK & Ireland on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-sf.co.uk or
www.icl-sf.ie if you are in Ireland.

A week is not such a long time for Charterhouse and their dealers

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Some say a week is a long time, but not Charterhouse Turf Machinery’s Nick Darking. Their Dealer Training Week “flew by” he said, “with 68 dealer staff from across the country converging on Charterhouse School for us to update them on new and updated kit.” Existing, and recently appointed dealers from their distribution network had the opportunity to get ever-valuable hands-on experience and ask questions.

Burden Bros Agri Group Turf Manager, Alan Pierce, went along with the whole of his sales team. “We all attended the same day and found it to be very well organised with plenty of Charterhouse staff on hand, as always helpful and professional. It was hugely beneficial to see such a wide range of kit in action and we all came away with an enhanced knowledge which we look forward to sharing with our customers.”

Ben Turner, Group Grounds Care Equipment Manager from Ben Burgess GroundsCare Equipment added, “6 of my team and I attended and found it to be a worthwhile event. It’s always great to get hands on and develop our understanding of the products. A big thanks to the Charterhouse team for the event and their hospitality on the day.”

The winners of the Golf Environment Awards 2017 have arrived back in the UK

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Alex James (Frilford Heath Golf Club), Edward Ainsworth (Avro GC) and Adi Porter (Greetham Valley GC), travelled with STRI ecology and environment specialists, Bob Taylor and Sophie Vukelic, to visit some of the most environmentally conscious golf clubs in Portugal.
Host Alexandra Almeida, of the Portuguese Golf Federation, organised visits to golf courses, so that the winners could gain a further understanding of the role that biodiversity plays in European golf course management.

Environmental Golf Course of the Year 2017 winner representative, Alex James, said: “When I was told that I’d be going on the GEA winners trip to Portugal, it was described as a once in a lifetime experience. Sometimes phrases like that are thrown around without any substance to back it up… well this time that phrase doesn’t even come close to describing just how amazing it was. It was more than a once in a lifetime trip, it was life changing!”

Almeida arranged visits to Espiche Golf Club with Greenkeeper Paulo Coelho, San Lorenzo Golf Course with Greenkeeper Carlos Santos, Monte Rei Golf Course with João Goulão and Luis Pinto, and Onyria Palmares Golf Resort with Joel Nunes, who has recently been elected as President of the Portuguese Greenkeepers Association.

Edward Ainsworth, Conservation Greenkeeper of the Year tweeted: “A very exciting moment for me, seeing and capturing on camera my first Swallowtail butterfly @EspicheGolfSA last week with @golfenvawards.”

The greenkeeping teams led the winners on an educational tour of the facilities, to highlight their sustainable initiatives. Alex James, said: “I was guilty of thinking that the GEA awards are mainly about bird boxes and bug hotels, but it is so much more than that! Yes, these things are important to promote wildlife and help the environment, but so is turning off heaters, using energy saving bulbs, moving irrigation water in the most efficient way, and recycling waste. All of these things help the environment, and we should all take a look at what we do and ask ourselves how we can do it better. We have a collective responsibility to be the best that we can possibly be.”

On his return, Adi Porter said: “This trip has been so inspirational and I will be taking so much back to my own club to help us do more to become more sustainable. I have learnt that it only takes small changes to make a massive difference!”

STRI’s Sophie Vukelic, said: “Yet again, the winners trip was a delight for all involved. This year’s winners continued to be enraptured by the knowledge shared by their Portuguese counterparts at some of Europe’s most environmentally sound golf clubs. We all shared ideas for creating a more sustainable business, from water-saving techniques to nature conservation initiatives and visitor experience. Indeed, the trip highlighted more than ever the need to understand that ‘sustainability’ incorporates so much more than bird boxes and wildflowers.”

STRI would like to thank the sponsors of the GEA 2017 for their continued support, Ransomes Jacobson, Farmura, Syngenta, Tillers Turf and Wiedenmann.
STRI recently announced that The R&A has agreed to become lead partner of the Golf Environment Awards. Entry for the 2018 awards is now open. For more information on the GEA, or to submit your entry, visit https://golfenvironmentawards.com.